As the Bachelorette finale draws ever nearer, the decision on who wins Sophie Monk’s heart is imminent.
And ahead of the big day, Daily Mail Australia spoke to body language experts Diederik Gelderman and Nikki Goldstein who weighed in on who they think Sophie will end up picking and whether the relationship has the right ingredients to last.
Currently in the running is publican and heir to the $500 million Laundy fortune Stu Laundy, 44, vineyard manager Jarrod Woodgate, 31 and magician Apollo Jackson, 24.
Who will Sophie REALLY pick? A body language expert weighs in on the Bachelorette’s final three, who takes home the final rose and whether it’s a lasting love
Stu Laundy
The father-of-four is widely lauded to win Sophie’s heart and Diederik and Nikki agreed with the rumours circulated right from the outset.
‘I think Stu will be the winner. He’s the only one she seems genuinely comfortable with and she’s also comfortable with his family,’ said Diederik.
‘I really on see her genuinely smile when Stu is around – with the other two, her smile is typically a ‘false’ smile,’ he added.
Nikki agreed saying: ‘There seems to be a strong emotional connection going on between these two and also a wanting of the same things in life.
‘It seems she is holding back a bit with him because of his family situation,’ she added.
Winner: ‘I think Stu will be the winner. He’s the only one she seems genuinely comfortable with and she’s also comfortable with his family,’ says Diederik
That said, Diederik does not feel relationship will actually last.
‘I do not think that this will be a long term fit/relationship, but he should win this series.’
According to Diederik Sophie has made several ‘contempt’ expressions throughout the series when with Stu and research undertaken by Dr John Gottman indicates with over 90 per cent certainty, when this occurs the relationship will not last.
Nikki also said the couple’s relationship won’t go the distance.
‘I’m not convinced it will go the distance. I think they would have a lot to get through as a couple.
‘At least Sophie is used to the media attention but how will she go playing step Mum to four kids?’ Added Nikki.
Genuine: ‘I really on see her genuinely smile when Stu is around
In relation to the other contestants, Diederik feels that there is lack on feelings from Sophie’s end.
‘With the other two she’s consistently showing ‘red flags’ – slight evidence of deceit. For example she’ll say something positive but at the same time shaking her head slightly from left to right – signifying NO.’
‘The body always tells the truth by ‘leaking’ these subtle ‘tells’.
‘They are always the ones ‘pushing’ the relationship and she’s constantly the one with the negative non-verbal (signals) including breaking off eye contact, breaking off the kiss, subtly pushing them away or pulling back,’ he added.
Short lived: ‘I do not think that this will be a long term fit/relationship, but he should win this series.’
Jarrod Woodgate
Fans have labelled him ‘possessive’ and ‘creepy’ and unlikely to win Sophie’s heart – Diederik agreed saying the feelings he has for Sophie are not mutual.
‘Jarrod is the one with the most feelings for her and possibly the most genuine of the three, but it’s not reciprocated to the same degree,’ said Diederik.
Not mutual: Fans have labelled him ‘possessive’ and ‘creepy’ and unlikely to win Sophie’s heart – Diederik agreed saying the feelings he has for Sophie are not mutual
‘There is lack of real passion on her part as evidenced by lack of a real smile on occasion and lack of passion,’ she says of the ‘stage-five-clinger’.
‘Certainly when kissing his face flushes but not hers and her looking away shows her real feelings.’
Nikki feels that Sophie has friend zoned the blond.
‘It would seem Sophie has more of a friendship with Jarred than a lustful connection. She seems at ease with him but I don’t feel there is anything more to it that comfortability.
‘That is an important factor in relationships but you also need there to be passion, especially in the beginning.
‘He ticks the head boxes but not the heart ones.’
Lack of passion: ‘There is lack of real passion on her part as evidenced by lack of a real smile on occasion and lack of passion,’ he said of the ‘stage-five-clinger’
Apollo Jackson
The young magician has fast become a fan favourite, but sadly Diederik said he won’t be the one Sophie will pick despite having ‘genuine feelings’ for the hunky suitor.
‘She does have genuine feelings for him – much more then for Jarrod.
‘But him ‘grabbing’ her neck when first kissing is not a good thing – a little possessive and excessive – something she won’t be able to cope with,’ added Diederik.
He also feels Sophie is not happy with the difference in age.
No magic: The young magician has fast become a fan favourite, but sadly Diederik says he won’t be the one Sophie will pick despite having ‘genuine feelings’ for the hunky suitor
‘I feel that she’s also not comfortable with the age difference.
‘When quizzed about this during the series she sends out a number of red flags such as saying YES but head-shaking NO or saying YES and leaning her upper-body backwards.’
Nikki feels the relationship is the opposite to Jarrod’s and is based on lust.
‘Apollo is the opposite to Jarred with there being an evident lust between him and Sophie but not too much more.
‘She is excited by him but her past is probably telling her that excitement and lust doesn’t always end up the recipe for a healthy long term relationship,’ said Nikki.
The kiss: ‘But him ‘grabbing’ her neck when first kissing is not a good thing – a little possessive and excessive – something she won’t be able to cope with,’ added Diederik